Strategic research on coastal agriculture and livestock development for policy advocacy with Honorable Members of Parliament (BCAS-PRODIP)

Introduction and Study Description

People living in different coastal areas of Bangladesh have been suffering from lack of food security. There are many reasons behind that such as lower crop productivity, less cropping intensity, unemployment, large fallow lands/water bodies and land degradation due to various soil-related constraints, climate risks and socio-economic problems. Since people do not have ample employment opportunities round the year, their food security situation is vulnerable and is a matter of great concern for the policy makers. Majority of the people in coastal areas are involved in crop cultivation, fishing, livestock rearing and they remain frequently unemployed due to tidal flooding and other natural disasters resulting food insecurity in the areas. As a part of policy support to the National Food Policy Capacity Strengthening Programme (NFPCSP) of the Ministry of Food and Disaster Management supported by FAO/USAID/EC and Asia Foundation/PRODIP for proper implementation of the National Food Policy 2006 for ensuring food security to all at all times, the present study “Strategic research on coastal agriculture and livestock development for policy advocacy with Hon’ble Members of Parliament” has been undertaken to develop understanding of the Hon’ble members of the Parliaments (MPs), scientists, policy planners, CBOs and Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) including local bodies and vulnerable farming community on Agriculture and Livestock Development for ecologically disadvantaged Coastal Area in the context of climate change;

Objectives and purpose of the study

The purpose of the project is to promote democratic governance in Bangladesh by strengthening public advocacy with Members of Parliament (MPs) through research-based information on agriculture and livestock development in vulnerable coastal areas, and enabling MPs to use the information for effective policy making.

Specific objectives of the study are:

Develop understanding of the Hon’ble members of the Parliaments (MPs), scientists, policy planners, CBOs and Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) including local bodies and vulnerable farming community on Agriculture and Livestock Development for ecologically disadvantaged Coastal Area in the context of climate change;

Engage Hon’ble MP’s, scientists, policy planners, CSOs, and stakeholders to exploring opportunities for promoting Agriculture and Livestock Development in Coastal Area in the context of climate change.

Share the outcome of the research study with the Hon’ble members of parliament at local level and apprise them about the need, scopes and constraints for agriculture and livestock development in the context of climate change and increased salinity;

Share the outcome of the research study with the members of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on agriculture and members of other related Standing Committee members of the Parliament in order to apprise them about the need, constraints and opportunities for negotiating a better policy and budget for agriculture and livestock development for Coastal Area.

Build awareness of the stakeholders, Members of Parliament, Members of Parliamentary Standing Committees on climate change impact on agriculture and livestock production system in coastal area which is threatening the livelihood /food security of the large portion of the population of coastal zone.

Promote key objectives of the PRODIP to make Bangladesh Parliament more effective in terms of promulgation of laws and achieve transparency in its activities.

Output

In order to increase the capacity of local MPs in policy advocacy and recommendations, “policy briefs” will be prepared both in English and Bangla. These “policy briefs” would enhance the bargaining/negotiating capacity of local MPs. The main argumentive points will be elaborated in the “policy briefs”.

Secondary Literatures, e.g. relevant policies, research report on climate change vulnerabilities on agriculture and livestock, published materials in journals and news papers will be reviewed in order to assess the current state of the art of agriculture in Coastal Area and figure out the key constraints which are being faced by these sectors to boost up the production. Based on the literature review a draft report will be prepared that will provide initial information on the impacts of climate change on coastal agriculture;

Conduct 20 Key Informant Interview with leading scientists at national level. The leading scientists, e.g. climate scientists, agriculture and livestock scientists, policy planners, representative of civil society, climate change as well as agricultural and livestock professionals and researchers will be contacted to conduct the Key Informant Interview (KII) based on a check-list to be prepared which help to collect relevant data and information on the climate change impact on coastal agriculture and livestock development. Twenty such key personnel will be interviewed mainly in Dhaka.

Organize 35 Focus Group Discussions (FGDs) in 35 most vulnerable clusters/upazilas from 15 most vulnerable districts to assess the problems of agricultural and livestock production systems and to identify probable opportunities in the context of

climate change. The clusters will be selected through GIS studies based on gradient of salinity. All these FGDs will be conducted based on checklist to be developed. The purpose of the FGDs are to gain in depth information on climate change impact on agriculture and livestock, The UZ agriculture officer, livestock officer, fisheries officer, UNO, CBO and CSO representatives, Farmers group leaders, members of Farmers field school & Agriculture clubs, members of the LGIs and members of other stakeholders will be organized to conduct the FGDs. The proceeds of the each FGDs will documented. 10 -15 participants will be invited to each FGD.

Organize 15 consultation workshops at 15 districts in participation of the MPs: The Research Synthesis Report will be presented in the proposed workshop for consultation. The local MPs, stakeholders and district level officers working in agriculture, fisheries, livestock, LGED, members of the CSO, CBO and other stakeholders will be invited to participate in such workshop. It will be a one day workshop. The key constraints that reduce the productivity in agriculture and livestock sector will be discussed at length in order to obtain suggestions and recommendations that best suites to improve the agricultural and livestock production. The proceedings of the workshop will be documented. Such consultation will update the knowledge of the MPs and stakeholders to plan better strategy in future and to look after the welfare of the people at community level. The elected representative of LGIs and Parliament are committed for the welfare of the people. These workshops will enable local MPs and LGI representatives to plan their strategy for being successful in the next polls.

Organize consultation workshop at national level in participation of the members of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on agriculture & livestock and prepare proceedings. The Parliament is the key platform for all development initiatives. The Parliament Committees by Ministries are constituted in participation of the MPs and such committees raise their voice for sectoral development activities. So, it is important for the MP’s as well as the Members of the Standing Committees to know better about the constraints that slow down the productivity in the agriculture and livestock sectors due to climate change. The consultation process will update the knowledge of the lawmakers and policy planners.

The proceedings of the consultation workshop will be printed both in Bengali and English and distributed among the relevant MPs, Members of the Parliament, Research Institutes, NGOs, Universities, and other stakeholders. The research findings will also be disseminated to bilateral and multilateral donors forums to apprise them on the vulnerability issues of the climate change in coastal area which is vulnerable to chronic poverty and raise voice for accelerating financial assistance for development programs which will help the poor coastal community to cope with the adverse impact of the climate change on Agriculture and Livestock.

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